The Works of Horace In English Verse By several hands. Collected and Published By Mr. Duncombe. With Notes Historical and Critical |
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 | The Works of Horace In English Verse |  |
339
EPISTLE III. To Julius Florus.
Augustus having sent his Son-in-Law, Claudius Tiberius Nero, with a powerful Army to replace Tigranes on the Throne of Armenia, Horace here enquires how Julius Florus and the other Wits in the Train of Claudius employed their Time; advises him to subdue those Passions which are the Source of all Evil, and in particular to be reconciled to his Friend Munatius Plancus.
Tell me, my Florus, on what foreign Coast
Claudius to Battle leads his warlike Host?
Say, are you now in Thracian Realms detain'd,
On Hebrus' Banks, by icy Fetters chain'd,
Between the Sea-wash'd Castles do you sail,
Or breathe on Asia's Hills a purer Gale?
What studious Cares engage your learned Band?
But chief inform me, what distinguish'd Hand
Transmits to latest Times Augustus' Fame,
In Peace and War alike a deathless Name!
What now employs our Titius? He whose Verse
Soon with just Praise the Public will rehearse:
Who, scorning Lakes and Streams, has, free from Dread,
Dar'd to drink deep at Pindar's Fountain-head.
How fares the Poet? does he still retain
The Memory of Me? the Theban Strain
Has he adapted to the Latian Lyre?
Or does he rage and foam with Tragic Fire?
What does my Celsus? warn'd so oft to raise
A Fortune of his own, nor touch the Lays,
Which to the latest Times the sacred Nine
Transmit, preserv'd by Phœbus Palatine;
Lest, when their Feathers every Bird resumes,
We scorn the Jay divested of his Plumes.
What's your own Study? o'er what fragrant Flowers
Now hover you? not slender are your Powers,
Nor unadorn'd your Mind. Whether a Cause
You eloquently plead, or civil Laws
Clearly expound, or sport in polish'd Lays,
The conquering Ivy all your Toil repays.
Try but to shun each Source of Care, you'll rise
To sacred Wisdom's Heights; be this the Prize
Pursu'd by all; be these the glorious Ends
Of all that are their own, their Country's Friends.
Claudius to Battle leads his warlike Host?
Say, are you now in Thracian Realms detain'd,
On Hebrus' Banks, by icy Fetters chain'd,
Between the Sea-wash'd Castles do you sail,
Or breathe on Asia's Hills a purer Gale?
What studious Cares engage your learned Band?
But chief inform me, what distinguish'd Hand
Transmits to latest Times Augustus' Fame,
In Peace and War alike a deathless Name!
340
Soon with just Praise the Public will rehearse:
Who, scorning Lakes and Streams, has, free from Dread,
Dar'd to drink deep at Pindar's Fountain-head.
How fares the Poet? does he still retain
The Memory of Me? the Theban Strain
Has he adapted to the Latian Lyre?
Or does he rage and foam with Tragic Fire?
What does my Celsus? warn'd so oft to raise
A Fortune of his own, nor touch the Lays,
Which to the latest Times the sacred Nine
Transmit, preserv'd by Phœbus Palatine;
Lest, when their Feathers every Bird resumes,
We scorn the Jay divested of his Plumes.
What's your own Study? o'er what fragrant Flowers
Now hover you? not slender are your Powers,
Nor unadorn'd your Mind. Whether a Cause
You eloquently plead, or civil Laws
Clearly expound, or sport in polish'd Lays,
The conquering Ivy all your Toil repays.
Try but to shun each Source of Care, you'll rise
To sacred Wisdom's Heights; be this the Prize
341
Of all that are their own, their Country's Friends.
Tell me in your Reply, and tell me true,
Do you with such Regard Munatius view
As he deserves? or, patch'd by bungling Hands,
Have you not burst fair Friendship's brittle Bands?
But should slight Knowledge of the World inspire
This fatal Enmity, or youthful Fire,
Live like two Brothers, and live where you will,
At your Return a pamper'd Steer I'll kill.
Do you with such Regard Munatius view
As he deserves? or, patch'd by bungling Hands,
Have you not burst fair Friendship's brittle Bands?
But should slight Knowledge of the World inspire
This fatal Enmity, or youthful Fire,
Live like two Brothers, and live where you will,
At your Return a pamper'd Steer I'll kill.
| The Works of Horace In English Verse | |